All England keeps Super 1000 status, India Open in Delhi despite hygiene row
The Badminton World Federation announced the calendar for the 2027–30 cycle on Monday, February 9, with the All England Open retaining its top-tier status despite speculation over a possible downgrade. Meanwhile, Delhi is set to continue hosting the India Open Super 750 event, despite controversy earlier this year surrounding hygiene standards and pollution levels in the capital.
The All England Open will retain its top-tier status, dispelling speculation that the prestigious badminton tournament could be downgraded to the second tier in the next Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour cycle from 2027 to 2030.
Rumours surrounding a possible demotion of the All England Open from Super 1000 to Super 750 status had primarily stemmed from the BWF's aggressive commercial restructuring of the World Tour for the 2027-2030 cycle.
On Monday, the BWF confirmed a significant increase in prize money for Super 1000 events, raising the minimum purse from USD 1.45 million to USD 2 million. It was also reported that Super 1000 tournaments could be expanded to an 11-day window, featuring both round-robin and knockout stages.
Speculation intensified amid suggestions that Badminton England might struggle to secure the financial backing and infrastructure required to meet these more demanding standards. This fuelled talk that the historic All England Open could be replaced at the top tier by emerging events such as the India Open or the Denmark Open, signalling a potential shift in the BWF's priorities towards commercial viability and broadcast stability over 127 years of tradition.
However, the All England Open has retained its Super 1000 status, alongside the Denmark Open, Indonesia Open, China Open and Malaysia Open.
DELHI RETAINS INDIA OPEN
Meanwhile, the India Open has maintained its Super 750 status and will continue to be held in New Delhi through the 2027-2030 cycle, as per the revised calendar.
The India Open had faced criticism earlier this year after several overseas players, most notably Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt and Anders Antonsen, raised concerns over hygiene standards and poor air quality during the January window. Reports of bird droppings on the courts and monkeys in the stands during the week-long tournament drew criticism from various quarters, prompting even the Indian Sports Ministry to seek explanations from the organisers.
Despite the backlash, the BWF has retained Delhi as the host city for one of the world's five Super 750 events.
While dates for the next cycle are yet to be announced, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra had earlier told IndiaToday.in that the India Open could be moved from January to a later slot to avoid harsh winter conditions.
In a further boost for the BAI, the BWF also confirmed that the World Championships will remain in Delhi, stating it has full confidence in the local organising committee and India's ability to address the concerns raised during the India Open.
KEY CHANGES TO THE TOUR (2027-2030)
- With the Denmark Open elevated, the number of Super 1000 events has increased from four to five.
- The Hong Kong Open has been upgraded from Super 500 to Super 750, while the Singapore Open has been downgraded to Super 500.
- Meanwhile, the Syed Modi International, currently a Super 300 event, has been downgraded to Super 100.
- The Odisha Masters and Guwahati Masters, both Super 100 events at present, will not feature in the next cycle.
The BWF World Tour is structured across six tiers - from the elite Super 1000 to the developmental Super 100 - with higher tiers offering greater world ranking points and requiring significantly larger prize purses to attract the world’s top-ranked players.
Super 1000 events
1. China - Chengdu
2. Denmark - Odense
3. England - Birmingham
4. Indonesia - Jakarta
5. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Super 750 events
1. China – Shenzhen
2. France - Paris
3. Hong Kong China
4. India – Delhi
5. Japan – Tokyo
Super 500 events
1. Australia - Sydney
2. Germany - Ruhr
3. Finland - Vantaa
4. Indonesia – Jakarta
5. Japan – Kumamoto
6. Korea – Seoul
7. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
8. Singapore
9. Thailand – Bangkok
Super 300 events
1. Canada
2. Chinese Taipei
3. France - Oreleans
4. Germany - Saarbrucken
5. Macau, China
6. Switzerland - Basel
7. Thailand – Bangkok
8. USA
Super 100 events
1. China
2. Chinese Taipei – Kaohshung
3. India – Lucknow
4. Inndonesia
5. Malaysia
6. Netherlands - Hertogenbosch
7. Philippines – Manila
8. Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City
The All England Open will retain its top-tier status, dispelling speculation that the prestigious badminton tournament could be downgraded to the second tier in the next Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour cycle from 2027 to 2030.
Rumours surrounding a possible demotion of the All England Open from Super 1000 to Super 750 status had primarily stemmed from the BWF's aggressive commercial restructuring of the World Tour for the 2027-2030 cycle.
On Monday, the BWF confirmed a significant increase in prize money for Super 1000 events, raising the minimum purse from USD 1.45 million to USD 2 million. It was also reported that Super 1000 tournaments could be expanded to an 11-day window, featuring both round-robin and knockout stages.
Speculation intensified amid suggestions that Badminton England might struggle to secure the financial backing and infrastructure required to meet these more demanding standards. This fuelled talk that the historic All England Open could be replaced at the top tier by emerging events such as the India Open or the Denmark Open, signalling a potential shift in the BWF's priorities towards commercial viability and broadcast stability over 127 years of tradition.
However, the All England Open has retained its Super 1000 status, alongside the Denmark Open, Indonesia Open, China Open and Malaysia Open.
DELHI RETAINS INDIA OPEN
Meanwhile, the India Open has maintained its Super 750 status and will continue to be held in New Delhi through the 2027-2030 cycle, as per the revised calendar.
The India Open had faced criticism earlier this year after several overseas players, most notably Denmark's Mia Blichfeldt and Anders Antonsen, raised concerns over hygiene standards and poor air quality during the January window. Reports of bird droppings on the courts and monkeys in the stands during the week-long tournament drew criticism from various quarters, prompting even the Indian Sports Ministry to seek explanations from the organisers.
Despite the backlash, the BWF has retained Delhi as the host city for one of the world's five Super 750 events.
While dates for the next cycle are yet to be announced, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary Sanjay Mishra had earlier told IndiaToday.in that the India Open could be moved from January to a later slot to avoid harsh winter conditions.
In a further boost for the BAI, the BWF also confirmed that the World Championships will remain in Delhi, stating it has full confidence in the local organising committee and India's ability to address the concerns raised during the India Open.
KEY CHANGES TO THE TOUR (2027-2030)
- With the Denmark Open elevated, the number of Super 1000 events has increased from four to five.
- The Hong Kong Open has been upgraded from Super 500 to Super 750, while the Singapore Open has been downgraded to Super 500.
- Meanwhile, the Syed Modi International, currently a Super 300 event, has been downgraded to Super 100.
- The Odisha Masters and Guwahati Masters, both Super 100 events at present, will not feature in the next cycle.
The BWF World Tour is structured across six tiers - from the elite Super 1000 to the developmental Super 100 - with higher tiers offering greater world ranking points and requiring significantly larger prize purses to attract the world’s top-ranked players.
Super 1000 events
1. China - Chengdu
2. Denmark - Odense
3. England - Birmingham
4. Indonesia - Jakarta
5. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
Super 750 events
1. China – Shenzhen
2. France - Paris
3. Hong Kong China
4. India – Delhi
5. Japan – Tokyo
Super 500 events
1. Australia - Sydney
2. Germany - Ruhr
3. Finland - Vantaa
4. Indonesia – Jakarta
5. Japan – Kumamoto
6. Korea – Seoul
7. Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur
8. Singapore
9. Thailand – Bangkok
Super 300 events
1. Canada
2. Chinese Taipei
3. France - Oreleans
4. Germany - Saarbrucken
5. Macau, China
6. Switzerland - Basel
7. Thailand – Bangkok
8. USA
Super 100 events
1. China
2. Chinese Taipei – Kaohshung
3. India – Lucknow
4. Inndonesia
5. Malaysia
6. Netherlands - Hertogenbosch
7. Philippines – Manila
8. Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City